FIRST FAMILIES of EAST TENNESSEE KNOX COUNTY AREA *** BEAVER RIDGE / BALL CAMP District 19 [Karns] ** SOLWAY / HARDIN VALLEY District 9 and BULL RUN District 4 Anderson Co.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Why was Beaver Creek area one of the first settled? I am only referring to what is now Karns. I will cover Ball Camp and Solway later.

On the east side of this valley Copper Ridge rises somewhat abruptly, and beyond the ridge is Beaver Creek Valley [19th District], which is one of the richest in the county, and was one of the earliest settled. It is divided through the middle by the creek whose name it bears. Lying between Beaver and Black Oak Ridge is the section of a valley known as Hine's Valley [9th District], the lower half of which is watered by Hickory Creek, a tributary of the Clinch. The soil of this valley is generally light and thin, but is well adapted to grass, and is capable of improvement. The fertile section bounded by Black Oak and Webb's Ridges is known as Grassy Valley [11th District]. It, unlike the others, does not slope gradually from northeast to southwest, but is crossed transversely by small ridges and depressions. Black Oak Ridge constitutes the water-shed between the waters of the Tennessee and the Clinch. Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee, Knox County, pg 928

The pioneers would settle in location with transportation links to potential markets. Emory Road was one of the first established roads and was used by early travelers. The old Indian trail from Campbell Station, established in 1787, going north, passing through the gap into Beaver Ridge, Ball Camp area, then following old Emory Road over Copper Ridge crossing into Anderson County, 4th District, was used by the families that settled in this area.

Early Roads were listed in the land records as Indian path, wagon road and other roads carried the simple names of the destination; road to Campbell Station, Ferry Crossing, road to Clinton. Emory is the only road to be named in early land records. 1823 Emory Road was part of the Knox County road system. Originally 10’ wide, during bad weather it became impassable.
• January 27, 1823 Emory to Reed Mill to top of Copper Ridge. Present day Beaver Byington and Henderson Road

• April 1829 Clinch River to Beaver Creek

• April 1831 Emory to top of Copper Ridge crossing into Anderson County

Looking at early maps, several small roads or foot paths crisscrossed the landscape. They would often follow the diving lines of the farms. A few wagon roads developed allowing the community to bring their goods to market. Most of the residents would go to Campbell Station. Before rail the only way to ship was by wagon overland or steamboat that would dock at Old Concord. One of our early residents Hugh Clark owned and operated a general store in Campbell Station. His family owned property Harden Valley Rd and Lovell Rd.Two of the Callaway brothers would start a store and boarding house in old Concord where the steamboat's docked.

The first Church in Beaver Ridge Copper Ridge Road
April 21, 1815 the Beaver Ridge [Church] free meeting house and grave yard was established. Thomas Reed deeded one acre and 20 poles for the purpose of a free meeting house and graveyard to John Scott and David Hall, deacons of the Beaver Ridge Baptist Church. The following exception being that the Baptist Church will have the preference of meeting the fourth Saturday and Sunday in every month, this being their regular meeting days. All other days to be free for all Christian denominations to hold their meeting according to their form of worship. The graveyard to be free to all persons.

The church building was made of poplar logs cut in the area, and after being hewed to be placed in the building were 35 inches in diameter. The 20 X 40 log structure had one window and one door. It was located next to Beaver Ridge Cemetery on Copper Ridge Road north east of Emory Road. This building also served as the school until 1874.

The first mills both established before 1800
Now know by locals as Trotters Mill, on Beaver Creek. Thomas Reed operated a mill on Beaver Creek. His property was located on the land that would become part of the old Karns elementary school.

Now known by locals as Coward Mill, on Beaver Creek.Jessie Council operated a mill on Beaver Creek. His property was located near the present day one lane bridge on Coward Mill Rd the old dam can be seen from the bridge.

Both of these mills were in operating until the early 1900's

The first Postal Delivery
1835 Beaver Ridge Post Office Established First Post Master was James England. His father, Ezekiel, was a merchant and trader and operated a store in this area. Ezekiel arrived in this area by 1799 from Wilkes County, North Carolina. His wife was Charlotte Council, her brother Jessie owned and operated the mill, present day Coward Mill Road. He owned 920 ac west of Ball Camp.

Mail arrived once a week. Depending on the Post Master you would pick up the mail at his home, mill or store. Ball Camp did not get a post office until 1852.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Well it has grown again found wills and estates on the Family Search [LDS] site it adds a new element to the first families project. Now I can work from home and add a lot more data. So this has pushed back my publish date.
I told my husband that I am now treating the book as a part time job. Get my coffee start working at 9AM quit for a lunch break and continue to work until 3 PM ......and enjoying all the history
Barbara

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Everyone listed below has detailed information ie marriage parents land tax records etc. They are the families that lived in this area 1830-1860 The ladies listed with their maiden name. Please contact me if you recognize a name several of the children moved to Texas Missouri around 1860

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Over the holidays I lost my mother. She was 91 and lived a happy life. I have had to put my research on hold for a few months. Traveling to New Mexico to take care of her estate. I will be back 'full time' on my book after my return. My mother was a big supporter of my research. Wishing all of you a successful 2011. Please continue to contact me. Barbara Guinn

Research for the East TN First Families

Painting of Coward Mill

First Family of Beaver Ridge Knox Co TN

Welcome to my history project.I have been researching for over 20 years. I started working on a history project for Beaver Ridge [Karns] finding the families that moved to this area prior to 1840. This family list is growing. If you believe you have family that came from this area first check the 1830/1840 census on my post. If you find a surname please add a post to this blog or contact me by email.

I will be writing a book and publish in 2015.Printed copies will be given to the Historical Society of Knoxville. I plan on including all the families that continued to live in this area through 1860. I will include land records, census, tax and court records if found. I will not be doing a genealogy study of the family lines but I plan on doing a family group sheet using census records.

At the present time I have decided to include families living in Solway and Dist 4 Anderson County. The families often tie into each other and I want to include the history.

Check back for updates to the surname list and I will be sharing some early maps I found.